Bipartisan Pro Codes Act Introduced in Senate to Protect Safety Standards
Backed by NFPA, bipartisan legislation aims to protect copyright for safety standards while ensuring public access when incorporated into regulations.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Mar 26, 2026
Bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting the integrity of safety standards was introduced in the U.S. Senate, drawing support from the National Fire Protection Association.
The Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes (Pro Codes) Act (S. 4145) was introduced by Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, with co-sponsorship from Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii.
The bill seeks to reaffirm copyright protections for safety standards developed by independent organizations when those standards are incorporated into laws and regulations.
NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley said the legislation is needed as safety challenges evolve and the system used to develop standards faces increasing pressure.
“The safety challenges facing our communities — from wildfires to EV batteries — are evolving faster than ever,” Pauley said. “We’re grateful to Sens. Coons and Cornyn, as well as Sens. Tillis and Hirono, for introducing the Pro Codes Act and protecting the copyrights essential to sustaining this critical public-private partnership.”
A companion version of the legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2025 (H.R. 4072) by House Judiciary Subcommittee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and Rep. Deborah Ross, D-N.C.
NFPA officials said the legislation addresses concerns that some companies and outside entities are attempting to use safety standards without contributing to their development, potentially undermining the system that supports their creation and updates.
“For-profit companies and foreign actors who played no role in creating these life-saving standards are trying to exploit them for their own commercial gain,” Pauley said. “We need clear congressional action to protect the ecosystem that underpins modern fire, electrical, and building safety.”
Safety standards developed by nonprofit organizations are frequently incorporated by reference into laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels. Advocates say the system helps improve efficiency, reduce costs and support innovation, but warn it depends on maintaining copyright protections to remain sustainable.
The Pro Codes Act aims to clarify that standards retain copyright protection when incorporated into law while ensuring public access.
For more information about the legislation, visit https://www.dontchancesafety.org. To contact members of Congress about the bill, visit https://www.dontchancesafety.org.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.